The Uruguayan has inherited a side sitting bottom of the Premier League, having accrued just one point from their opening seven games, with his first assignment a trip to Swansea City after the international break before his side host the Magpies the following week.

As a player, Poyet scored four goals in 11 games against the Tyneside club - Sunderland are coincidentally one of just two clubs against whom he notched more - and the former midfielder is hoping to heap more misery on Newcastle when they meet on October 27.

"My life in England and my football career as a player and manager has been linked with Sunderland and Newcastle," he told the press.

"A little bit more with Newcastle, to be honest, because somehow - I don't know why - I always seemed to score against them. They already hated me a little bit and now they probably hate me a little bit more. That's football.

"I always try to do the best for the club that I'm in. I support the club I'm working for and become a fan, and I think that will show with the passion and what the players show as well.

"Let's hope it's a good one and we can beat Newcastle in a couple of weeks."

In each of the past two seasons, Poyet has enjoyed victories over Newcastle in the FA Cup with former club Brighton and Hove Albion - eliminating them in the fourth round in 2011-12 and the third last term.